LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL
(GEC-LWR)
Rizal Then and Now
Dr. Jose Rizal, a man of intellectual brilliance, courage, compassion, and peaceful
resistance to Spanish colonial government whom Filipinos recognized and honored as their
national hero. He excelled in many fields such as medicine, sociology, architecture, poetry,
and many more. He set the standard of being a patriot to his country and shown love to his
countrymen. Rizal was executed on December 30, 1896 in Bagumbayan, Manila. Filipinos
admire his novels and writings that some of his literary works are being studied by Filipino
students.
In the year 2020, a pandemic came to rise and changed the normal way of living.
COVID-19 indeed did a damage in the country’s economic state, and people follow
protocols such as social distancing, wearing masks, and washing hands more often. Faceto-face classes were also changed into online classes, a major adjustment to all students
and faculty staffs. If Rizal is still alive in this time of pandemic, surely, he will still be a
man of excellence and compassion.
Rizal back then advocated reforms for equal treatment of Filipinos, limiting the Power
of Spanish friars, and representation for the Philippines in the Spanish Cortes. He was a
political reformer. Now, he would be a perfect fit in Philippine Legislature or the Congress
of the Philippines in which the laws are made. An example of Rizal’s reform can be found
in his manifesto in which he gave emphasis to the necessity of education in achieving
independence. Rizal loved his country and its people. Having Rizal as one of the lawmakers
would greatly benefit Philippines. Together with his brilliant ideas, principles in life and
compassion, he would be an asset in the Philippine Congress.
Rizal was a man of many interests and talents. Back then, he was a researcher. Now in
the time of pandemic, he would probably be a scientist who is researching and
experimenting to create vaccines for the virus. Science and Technology plays a vital role
in this time especially in the field of medicine. Rizal’s scientific achievements were indeed
inspiring. He made some research about native medicinal plants and prescribed these to his
poor patients when was exiled in Dapitan. Furthermore, he collaborated with top scientists
from Europe. He collected specimens of animals, plants and ethnographic materials from
Mindanao and sent them to his colleagues in Europe. His determination to help Filipinos
INSIGHT PAPER
and dedication in research would make him a great scientist that we really needed in times
like this.
Rizal was an ophthalmologist back then. He successfully operated his mother’s eyes to
remove her cataracts. People began coming to him for treatment after the news of his
operation spread. He opened a clinic and treated the poor free. Now, he would be an
amazing doctor serving people in the hospitals. Doctors are one of the front liners and are
essential in this time of pandemic. Undeniably, Rizal would be a man wearing a white coat
treating patients with utmost care and kindness.
Rizal was known as an educator back then. Now, he would probably be an online
teacher lecturing his students. At the age of 16, he already wrote a poem on education
entitled “El Amor Patrio,” in which he encouraged Filipinos to seek progress through
education. When he was exiled in Dapitan, he opened a school which was attended by boys
from the prominent families of Dapitan. Rizal believed in the effectivity of education as a
solution to the political, social, and economic problems of the country. In this time of
pandemic, definitely, he is teaching with all his knowledge and gather resources he could
get through the use of technology and online platforms. He would be a great epitome of an
educator.
Indeed, Rizal deserves the respect of Filipinos and the honor of being the Philippine
National Hero. His self-discipline truly was the key to his productivity, a great example to
the students. He is the standard of what it means to be a Filipino. His characteristics, ideals,
principles, determination, and love for his country made him the Jose Protasio Rizal
Mercado y Alonso Realonda that Filipinos will always admire and look up to. Gracias
Rizal!
INSIGHT PAPER